Boxcar



July 26, 1938. l.. THoMAs BOXCAR Original Filed May 23. 1934 7Sheets-Sheet 1 l |14 l l M u H Il .llllll l n F||||||||| W. L. THOMASJuly 26, l 193s.

BOXCAR Original Filed lvlay 23. 1934 `7 Sheets-Sheet .3'

July 26, 1938.

BOXCAR original' Filed May 23, 1934 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 July 26, 193s. wTHOMAS Re. 20,811

BOXCAR Original Filed May 25, 1934 '7 SleetS-Sheet 5 ATTRNEYSheets-Sheet- 6 H gegaan-indiquons w. l.. 'THOMAS BOXCAR original Fiedmay 2:5. 1954 July 26, 1,938.

July 26, 193s. w L 'THOMAS 'Reyzoll BoxcAR Original Filed May 23. 1934 7Sheets-Sheet 7 ///I. 'f//v 407 i /JN ETOR urfb.

' ATTORNEY' 30' scribed and which are of such construction as to l jRennes-.July 26, 193s PATE-NT OFFICE BOXCAR -William L. Thomas,Haverstraw, N. Y., assignor to The New York Central Railroad a.`corporation of New York Company,

Original N0. 2,038,692, dated April 28, 1936, Se-

rial No. 727,172, May

reissue December 29,

33 Claims.

'I'his invention relates :to improvements in box cars, and particularlyto means for holding partitioning or supporting elements forpartitioning the car into holding compartments and/ or providing thereinsupporting floors or platforms of suitable size or sizes for holding orsupporting dif-l ferent kinds or sizes of goods to be shipped. Moreparticularly the invention relates to means whereby a portion or all ofthe space between doorways transversely of the car may be so partitionedand utilized for the reception and transportatlon of freight.

The general object oi' the invention is to provide improvements in meansof the type shown in my prior application Serial No. 688,397, filedSeptember 6, 1933, for variably partitioning the interior of a box cartodivide the same into holding com partments and/or to support thereinoors or platforms whereby one and the same car may be used to hold mixedkinds and/or sizes of goods in separatelots and in such ma.nner as tokeep the lots separated from each other and to enable the full capacityof the carto be used for shipnent of such goods to the same destinationor to different destinations.

The particular object of the invention is to provide partitioningandsupporting means across the doorways and across the interior of thecar between the doorways for the purposes above de- 'furnisha moreconvenient and ilexible arrangement for changing the supporting andpartitioning' elements asl occasion may require under differentconditions of service.

The invention consists of the features of construction. combination andarrangement of parts, hereinafter fully described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

^ Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through a portion of arailway car embodying my invention, looking toward one of the doorwaysthereof.

' Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section through the car taken on line 33 of Fl 1.

` Fig. 4 is a view similar mrtg. 3 with supports and partition removedand showing clearly one` of the door posts.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section on an enlarged scale through a portion ofone of the side walls and one of the terminal posts andthe intermediatepost of a. doorway.

Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9 are, respectively, a side view,

23, 1934. Application for. 1937, Serial No. l82,369

a top plan view, a cross-section and an end view of a doorway partitionand supporting member. Figs. 10 to 29, inclusive, are similar groupviews showing modified forms of construction oi' doorway or crosspartitioning and supporting members..

Figs. 30 and 3l are sigle and cross-sectional views of the latch end ofa doorway or cross partition and supporting member, showing the latchbolt structure thereof.

Figs. 32 and 33 are longitudinal and cross-sections thereof.`

' Figs. 34, 35 and 36 are a side view, a cross-section and an and viewshowing another modled form of construction of latch bolt structure,

Fgsj37 and 38-and Figs. 39 and 40 are side elevations and cross-sectionsshowing still other modied forms of latch constructions.

Figs. 41 to 46, inclusive, are views showing the use of plate-typelatches instead of bolt-type latches.

Figs. 47 and 48 are similar views showing the use of a hook latch.

Fig. 49 is a view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating a modified constructionof the doorway stiles.

n Fig. 50 is a horizontal section through the doorway structure shown inFig'. 49.

Fig. 5l isa vertical section through the doorway structure shown inFigs. 49 and 50, loo toward one of the door posts.

Figs. 52, 53 and 54 are, respectively, a side'elevation, a top plan viewand an end view of a modified form of doorway or cross partition orsupporting member.

Figs. 55, 56 and 57 are similar views of a modified construction ofsupporting bar.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, l designates the carbody which is or may be of usual box body form, and comprises the bottom2, side walls 3, end walls l and roof 5. 'Ihe bottom 2, end walls 4 androof 5 may be of any suitable and approved construction. The side walls3, however, may be of special construction, as disclosed in my aforesaidprior application Serial No. 688,397, to adapt the same for use inconjunction with supporting and/or partitioning members, whereby theinterior oi' the ca'r, between the endwalls and the doorways, may be wdivided into goods holding compartments and/or provided with shelves orplatforms for supporting goods of diierent sizes or kinds therein.

Each side wall 3 is provided with a central doorway 6 including terminalangle metal door posts 1, l', an intermediate door post 8, anda metallintel beam 8', and each portion of the wall 3 between each door post 1,I and the corner portion 9 at its intersection with the end wall 4 onthe same side oi' the transverse center of the body comprises outerv andinner wall sections I0 and II. formed of vertically extending metalsheets I2 riveted or otherwise secured to each other at their lappingedges and also secured to the side sill channel and Z-bar eaves beamsI3, to channeled intermediate posts I4, and to longitudinal (horizontal)angle beams I5 forming with the respective posts a rigid wall framing.The inner wall section II consists of longitudinally (horizontally)extending sheets I 6. the lowermost sheet having its lower longitudinaledge flanged inwardly and secured to the iioor by lag screws or boltsI1, the uppermost sheet having its upper longitudinal edge turnedoutwardly or toward the wall section I0 and secured at intervals alongthe major length of the car by brackets I6 to the eaves beam I3 and inthe region of the doorway 6 to the lintel beam 8'. At'their adjacentedges the sheets I6 are flanged toward the wall .section IU and boltedor riveted, as at IS, to the angles I5 and welded, as at 20,- to thepost I4, the sheets of both wall sections III and II being thus firmlyunited to each other and to a rigid framing and providing a double wallof great lstrength to serve as a support for the partitioning andsupporting members.' This double wall structure is hollow, the wallsections III and I l being held spaced by the framing, so that an airspace is provided therebetween to insulate the interior of -the caragainst rapid heat exchange action between the same and the outeratmosphere. This hollow space may. ii' desired, be lled with insulatingmaterial of any suitable and approved sort. As shown, the sheets I6 areperforated, being formed throughout with longitudinal (horizontal) andtransverse (vertical) rows of slots or openings 24. Each opening is ofdouble key-hole-shaped type, having alined straight end portionsintersecting a central circular enlargement. These openings form keepersfor interchangeable locking engagement with headed engaging and lockingelements on partitioning and supporting members, as hereinafterdescribed.

The doorway 6 in each wall is specially formed or modiiied as comparedwith a conventional construction ot doorway in order that the width of anormal doorway may be reduced when employing the car as a partitionedcar for the purpose set forth. To this end an extra or intermediate doorpost 8 in each wall I'is provided, and a door 22 is mounted lso that itmay be used to permanently close the space or half of the doorwaybetween this extra post 6 and one oi the conventional or flxedposts, asthe post 1', as long as the car is used as a partitioned car, leavingthe remaining half of the doorway between the posts 1 and 8 normallyopen forservice use. but adapted to be closed whenever desired by a door22. The inner wall structure at the closed side or haii' oi the doorwayis also modied by extending thesheets I6 between the other conventionalor ixed door post l and the post 8, thereby increasing the availablestorage space between the transverse line of the post 6 and the end ofthe car including the closed half of the doorway. By this means a narrowservice doorway o suiiicient width is left for access to the car andloading purposes as well as unloading purposes, if desired, which narrowdoorway may be conveniently closed, and this arrangement allows theclosed half oi the doorway to be packed solidly from side The outer wallsection I0 is v to side of the car to increase its storage capacity.Secured to the posts I and 8 at the sides of the open portion of thedoorway are channeled stiles or holders 23 and 24, each consisting of aU- shaped channel member having its'closed base facing outwardly and itsopen portion facing inwardly. One of the side walls of eachchannelmember 2l and 24 is bolted, riveted or otherwise suitably fastened tothe post 1 or 8,as the case may be, and the other side wall of eachchannel member is provided from top to bottomY with circular, doublekey-hole shaped or other suitably formed keeper slots or openings 25arranged at equal distances apartand in comparatively close relation toeach other. The perforated Stiles so constructed have their similarperforations or keeper openings arranged in horizontal alinement witheach other to receive engaging elements on door-- way partitions -orsupporting members whereby the portion of the car body between thedoorways may be subdivided into goods holding compartments at desiredpoints and elevations and/or provided with goods supporting platforms atdesired points and levels by means of doorway closing and partitioningand supporting members mounted on the side walls and attached to theperforated stiles of the doorway, some of which partitioning andsupporting members and doorwa'y closing members are herein shown, theconstruction and use of whichI will now proceed to describe.

In Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive, I have shown a form of doorway closure andsupport 26 comprising a plurality of superimposed wooden beams or boards2| bolted at their ends to angle metal tie members 2B and 29. At one endthe closure and supporting member 26 is provided with a pair ofsuperposed supporting and locking studs 30 carried by the plate 28 andwhich are spaced a suitable distance apart for engagement with similarlyspaced openings.2 5 in the stile at one side of the doorway. At itsother end the closure and supporting member 26 carries guideway housings3| in which are mounted sliding supporting .and locking bolts 32,` thestem of each bolt being provided with a ma nipulating handle 33 havingengagement with a guide slot 34 in the housing, which slot is providedwith angularly disposed ends in which the stem is adapted to be receivedto lock the bolt in. projected or retracted position. The bolts arespaced a distance apart corresponding to perforations or openings 25' inthe other stile oi' the gate, with which openings 25 the bolts areslidably engageable, whereby the closure and partition member may besecured in the opening in the Adoorway at any desired elevation therein.The

member 26 is provided with one or more sockets or keeper openings 35 toreceive the ends oi' transverse supporting bars 36 adapted to beextended transversely of the car betweenthe door` way spaces andengagedv with opposite doorway closure members 26 to support a verticalpartition 31 in position across the car between the doorways. 'I'hispartition 31 may be provided, like the inner sheets I6 of the body sidewall, with double key-hole-shaped or other suitably formed compartmentor compartments in the center of the car between the doorway spaces; orto separate such portions of the car between the center and ends,whereby a desired number and arrangement of compartments to receiveVgoods of different kinds and/or sizes may be provided on the interiorof the car. The perforated vertical partitions 3| may also serve assupports for supporting bars 46 having headedstuds or fastening members4l to engage the slots therein, on which bars boards 42 may be laid toprovide shelves or platforms at different elevations in the car tosupport different kinds and/or sizes of goods in vertically spacedrelation to each other. By the use of such closure members, partitionsand supports, the doorways at the sides of the car may be eithercompletely or partially closed and the space across the car between thedoorways may be compartmented and shelved or platformed in the mannerdescribed so .as to enable any kind and/or size of freighting to beconveniently stored, so that the freight containing capacity of the carmay be increased and varied kinds of freight carried and kept separatefrom each other. The construction of each support 26 with fixed lappingstuds at one end and sliding bolts or fastening members at its oppositeend adapts thestud end of the closure member to be engaged with anddisengaged from a perforate doorway stile by longitudinal movement ofsaid member and permits the other end of' the member to be engaged withand disengaged 'from the other perforate locking stile by a lateralmovement into or out of position and a longitudinal shifting movement ofthe locking bolts in one direction or the other. This not only adaptsthe closure members to be readily and conveniently applied and removedbut also allows of the use of locking bolts of any desired length sothat -variations in the distance between the posts 1 and 6, in diiferentcars, may be compensated for by adjustment of the locking bolts. l

In Figs. 10 to 13, inclusive, a combined doorway closure and supportingmember 43 is shown comprising a bottom angle beam 44, a pair ofsuperposed wooden beams or bars 45, a tie bracket 46 at one end'of themember and a tie plate 41 at the opposite end-thereof,v said beams orbars 45 having keeper openings 46 similar for the same purpose as theopenings 45 formed in the beams 21. Carried by the bracket 46 at one endof the member 43 are locking studs 49 vand carried by the plate 41 atthe opposite end of the member is a latch bolt housing 50 of thestructure previously described carrying sliding latch bolts 5|, whichstuds at one end of the member and bolts at the opposite end of themember may be arranged any plank s: and united by end ne plates 55marsa4 desired distance apart for cooperation with particular openingsin the perforate stiles. This form of member 43 may be of the same depthas the member 26 or of greater depth or 'of less depth and is applied toand removed from the stiles in the same manner as the member 26.

In Figs. 14 to 17, inclusive, I have shown another form ofI doorwayclosure member and support 52 comprising a board or plank 53 of the fulldepth of the member, to one side of which are attached top and bottomangle'beams 54 and 54' extending at their ends beyond the ends of theand a central tie plate 51, the tie plate 55 carrylng locking studs 56and the tie plate 56 carrying latch housings and bolts 59 of thestructure previously'described or any approved and equivalentstructure.` Carried by the beam 54 is a looped bracket or stirrup 66adapted to receive the ends of supporting bars or members,'and carriedby the beam 54' are Z-shaped brackets 6I forming with the bars keepersto receive the ends of supporting members, said brackets 6l beingprovided with clamping screws 62 or the like for securing the supportingbars in fixed relation thereto.

In Figs. 18 to'21, inclusive, I have shown still another form of doorwaypartition or support 63 comprising a single wooden bar 64 and anassociated L-beam 64', said beam 64' having a bent portion forming abracket 65 at one end carrying a locking stud 66 and said beam 64 havingattached thereto at its opposite end a bracket p late, housing and latchbolt structure 61 Aof the type previously described. The beam 64' hasattached thereto Z-shaped clamping brackets 68 provided at one end and apair of bolt members at its opposite end, a pair of bolt members beingemployed to prevent rotation ofthe member 63, whereby a support holdingmember which occupies but little vertical space may be employed at anypoint in the depth of a doorway desired.

In Figs. 22 to 25, inclusive, still another closure and support 1|J isshown which is generally similar in construction to that disclosed inFigs. 14 to 17, inclusive, and corresponding parts of which aredesignated by the same reference characters, substantially the onlydiierence being in the arrangement of the plank and angle beams, sidefor side, with respect to each other, and the reversed arrangement ofthe locking studs and bolts, end for end, at opposite ends of themember, the arrangement being such that a member similar to themember'52 may be provided in which the holding vparts are differentlydisposed when the member 10 is placed in the same position as member 52in either doorway.

In Figs. 26 to 29, inclusive, I have shown still another form of closureand supporting member H which is generally similar in construction tothe member 63 except as regards a similarre-l placed in the doorways andlocked to the stiles thereof to partially or wholly close each doorwayand to provide supporting means in the doorways for holding a desirednumber and arrangement of cross supports, partitions and shelves'orplatforms to divide the space transversely of the car between thedoorways into compartments or to arrange therein shelves or platforms atdesired elevations, so that the space may be apportioned and divided ina most effective manner for the storage of a maximum amount of freightor most convenient disposition of' the same `for storage in transit.

' In Figs. 30 to 40, inclusive, I have shown various constructions oflatch bolts which may be employed upon a partitioning or supportingmember. As shown in Figs. 30 and 31 the partitioning or supportingmember 12 or a bracket arranged thereon carries a bolt housingcomprising..

which arebolted or riveted to the part 12, and

linger piece into and out of locking engagement with the locking ends ofthe guide slot in the housing. In Figs. 34, 35 and 36, a twin type oflatch bolt construction is provided for a comparatively deeppartitioning or supporting member 16 in which the bolt housing comprisesa' body plate 11 and a cap plate 18, bolted, riveted or otherwisesuitably united, 'and provided with mating portions suitably shaped andinterengaged to form the bolt receiving channels 19, which may be of thestructures previously described. The body plate 11 in this structure maybe welded toan angle beam 80 forming part of the partitioning member.'I'he bolt housing 13-may be spaced any desired distance apartcorresponding to the stile openings 25 to be engaged thereby. In Figs.37 and 38, the partitioning or supporting member 8i is provided with asingle, centrally located, inset or mortised bolt housing comprising achanneledl body plate 82 in the channel of which is disposed a cap plate83, bolted, riveted or otherwise secured thereto and cooperatingtherewith to form the bolt receiving channel having lateral lockingslots. The member 8| herein ,shown comprises spaced bars or beams 8l,between the ends of which the bolt housing is arranged, which barsandhousing are united by a bracket plate B5. In Figs. 39 and 40, anangie metal type of partitioning or supporting member I6 is showncarrying a double or twin type of latch housing comprising connectedbody and cap plates 81 and 88, which are or may be similar inconstruction to the housing shown in Figs. 34 to 36, inclusive, exceptthat the housing channels are spaced apart to a lesser degree to engagemore 'closely related openings 25 inthe door post stile. These and otherforms of construction of bolt housings may be employed to meet variousrequirements of service. In the use of the invention on cars `wherediil'erent forms and sizes of partitioning and supporting members may beemployed with advantage to meet different contingencies of service. v

In Figs. 4l to 46, inclusive, I have shown some diiferent forms of latchplates or members which may be used upon supporting or partitioningmembers adapted for engagement with the vdouble key-hole-shaped slots inthe vertically disposed partition plates or sheets used to divide thecar interior into chambers or compartments. In Figs. 4l and42 there isshown a partition plate or sheet I3 provided with a latch platecomprising a bracket member 30 carrying a hinged or pivoted latch plate3| having a beveled outer end portion adapted for engagement with aperforation 2| in a partition sheet .or plate to connect the plate orsheet 89 therewith. This latch plaie has a shoulder 82 to limit itsinsertion movement and is adapted when engaged with a receivingperforation or opening to fold up against the partition sheet or plateor a stop carried thereby to maintain it in its proper locking position.In Figs. 43 and 44 there is shown on the partition. plate or sheet afixed or rigid latch plate 3l having a beveled end portion toengage aslot or opening 2| In Figs. 45 and 46 the partitioning plate or sheet isprovided with a latch plate comprising a bracket member Sl carrying ahinged or pivoted latch plate 35 similar to the plate 92 except that theouter portion of said latch plate is bifurcated or forked to providetwin engaging members 95 for insertion into a pair of adjacent openings2| in a partition plate or sheet. Y

In Figs. 47 and 48 a diilerent type oi' locking or latch element isdisclosed which comprises a. latch hook 9S adapted for engagement at itsfree end with one ormore holes or periorations 2| in' the partitionplate or sheet and pivotally connected with a stirrup member or U-shapedbracket 91 which is suitably fastened to the partition plate or sheet.

In Figs. 49,50 and 51 I have shown a modified construction of thedoorway stiles in which the stiles 23' and 24' are formed ofsubstantially L- shaped angle iron members the flange portions of whichare secured to the sheets |6 and the body portions of whichI aredisposed in parallel relation to the sides of the posts 1 and 8 facingthe doorway and are secured thereto by Z-shaped brackets 25a, said bodyportions of the stiles being provided with the keeper openings orperforations 25 to receive the latches and locking studs or projectionsupon the doorway closing and supporting members 26, etc. This provides asimpliiled construction and mode of attachment of the stlles to the doorposts for the adjustable attach-- ment thereto of thedoorway -closureand supporting members.

In Figs. 52, 53 and 54 I 'have shown a modified construction of combineddoorway closure 'and supporting members 38, similar to the member 43shown 'in Figs. i4 to 17, inclusive, except that the closure andsupporting member comprises a pair of longitudinally extending parallelangle.

iron bars or plates 98 .connected and held in spaced relation by sheetmetal end tie plates |00 and lili and an intermediate tie plate |02, thehorizontally disposed anges or portions of which are provided with rowsof longitudinally extend- ,ing perforations |03 for the adjustableconnection therewith of angle metal supporting brackets |04 which'areattached thereto by bolts |05 and which carry the clamping screws |06for engaging and holding supporting bars in position thereon. Thisconstruction provides a-strong and durable type of closure andsupporting member to which brackets of the indicated character maybeadjustably attached for the support therefrom of supporting bars inpractically any arrangement desired.

In Figs. 55, 56 and 57 I have shown a modified construction ofsupporting bar |01 similar in type to the supporting bar shown in Figs.19, 20 and 2l, except that the bar |01 is of angle metal having at itsopposite ends the engaging stud |08 and latch plate |03 riveted orotherwise suitably attached thereto. The horizontally extending flangeor portion of this bar is provided with perforations i I0 for attachmentthereto of brackets which are similar in construction to the brackets Ian'd adapted to be adjustably applied in like manner. This constructionprovides a .simple form of supporting bar on which the clamping bracketsmay be mounted for attaching thereto other supportingbars or elements atdifferent points in the length thereof. V

The uses of these diiferent forms of latch elements orv connectors willbe readily understood from the drawings and the foregoing description,as well as the mode of application and use of the different forms oflatch bolt connectors previously described. Also the manner in which thedoor partitioning or supporting elements and the cross supports andlongitudinal and cross partition plates or sheets are secured inposition for use will be readily apparent without a further or extendeddescription. By the use of these various devices in proper combinationand arrangement the interior of the car across the space between thedoorways may be readily and conveniently divided or partitioned andshelved to carry different sizes and/or kinds of freight or lading sothat the same may be stored and transported with the greatest ease andconvenience for economy in transportation and facility in segregatingand shipping, as well as handling, different kinds of goods orcommodities in separate units or in lots or other arrangements to thebest advantage;

While the structures shown in the drawings are preferred, it wil-l, ofcourse, be understood that changes in the form, construction andarrangement of parts may be made within the scope of the appended claimswithout departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantagesof the invention.

What I claim is:`

1. In supporting and partitioning means for use in box cars, a Carhaving a doorway, posts at opposite sides of the doorway, angle metalstiles secured to the opposed faces of the posts and having rows ofperforations therein, and a supporting or partitioning member having afixed locking projection at one end yfor engagement with theperforations in one of the perforated stiles and having a slidablelocking projection at its opposite end for engagement with theperforations in the other perforated stile.

2. In supporting and partitioning means for use in box cars, a carhaving a doorway, posts at opposite sides of the doorway, angle metalstiles secured to the opposed faces of the posts and having rows ofperforations therein, and a supporting or partitioning member having afixed locking projection at one end for engagement with the perforationsin one of the perforated stiles and having a slidable' locking bolt atits opposite end for engagement with the perforations in the otherperforated stile, with means for locking said bolt in projected orretracted position.

3. In supporting and partitioning means for use in box cars, a carhaving a doorway, posts at opposite sides of the doorway, angle metalstiles secured to the opposed faces of the posts and each provided witha row of equally disposed perforations extending from top to bottomthereof, and a partitioning or supporting member adapted to be disposedacross the doorway between said stiles and arranged at desiredelevations in the doorway, said partitioning or supporting member beingprovided at one end with a plurality of vertically spaced fixed engagingelements and at its opposite end with a plurality of verticallyspacedsliding locking members for engagement with the perforations in therespective stiles.

4. In supporting and partitioning means for use in box cars, a carhaving doorways in its sides each'provided with posts at opposite sidesthereof, angle metal stiles secured to the opposed faces of the postsand each having a vertical row of spaced perforations therein, asupporting or partitioning member adapted to be extended between saidstiles and having engaging members at its opposite ends to engage theperforations therein, said member also having keeper eletherein,

ments, and cross supporting or partitioning members adapted to beengaged with said keeper ele--` ments of supporting or partitioningmembers engaged with the stiles of the doorways and ex-l tended acrossthe car between the doorways.

5. In supporting and'partitioning means for use in box cars, a carhaving doorways each provided with posts, angle metal stiles secured tothe opposed faces of the posts and each having a vertical row ofperforations therein, horizontal supporting or partitioning membersadapted to be disposed across the doorways and having projectionsadapted for engagement with the perforations in the stiles and alsohaving keepers therein, transverse supporting or partitioning membersadapted to be extended across the interior of the car between thedoorways and engaged with the keepers of the iirst-namd supporting orpartitioning members, said transverse supporting or partitioning membershaving engaging elements, and vertically disposed supporting sheetshaving openings therein for the reception of the engaging elements onsaid transverse supporting members and for the attach ment of othersupporting elements at different points thereon.

6. In supporting and partitioning means for use in box cars, a carhaving doorways in its opposite sides each provided with posts, anglemetal stiles secured to the opposed faces of the posts and each having avertical row of perforations therein, supporting or partitioning membersadapted to be extended across the doorways and having projectionsadapted for engagement with the perforations in the posts, a pluralityof longitudinally spaced vertical transverse supporting or partitioningmembers adapted to be extended across the interior of the car betweenthe doorways and provided with fastening means for engagement with thefirst-named supporting or partitioning members, said transversesupporting members having'keepers, and horizontal members adapted to beextended between and engaged with the keepers of the transversesupporting members to form or support shelves or platforms at differentelevations of the car.

7. In supporting and partitioning means for use in box cars, a carhaving doorways in its opposite sides each provided with posts, anglemetal stiles secured 'to the opposed faces of the posts and each havinga vertical row of perforations supporting or partitioning membersadapted to be extended across the doorways and having projectionsadapted for engagement with the perforations in the posts, transversesupporting or partitioning members adapted to be extended across theinterior of the car between the doorways and provided with means forengagement with the first-named supporting or partitioning members, saidtransverse supporting elements having engaging elements thereon,vertically disposed partitioning sheets or plates adapt- -ed to bedisposed transversely of the car and having rows of openings therein toreceive the engaging elements on the transverse supporting members topartition the car into chambers or compartments, and horizontalsupporting members having engaging elements adapted to be engaged withthe openings in the sheets to form or support shelves or platforms atdierent elevations in the car.

8. In supporting and partitioning means for use in box cars, a carhaving a doorway, supporting posts at opposite sides of the doorway,angle metal stiles secured to the opposed faces of the tions, and asupporting or partitioning member adapted to be extended between saidposts, said member being provided at one end with studs to engageopenings in one of the posts and provided at its opposite end withsliding latch bolts to engage perforations in the other post.

9. In supporting and partitioning means for use in box cars, a carhaving doorways in its sides each provided with posts, each having avertical row oi' perforations, a supporting member extended between theposts of each doorway and having projections adapted for engagement withthe perforations therein, and a partition sheet or plate adapted to bedisposed transversely of the car and provided with means for engagementwith said supporting members to divide oif portions of the car, saidsheet or plate having keyhole-shaped openings therein for supportingother supporting or partitioning members thereon,

10. In supporting and partitioning means for use on box cars, a carhaving a doorway provided with posts, wall sheets on the outer and innersides of the posts, angle metal stiles, brackets securing said stiles tothe posts and inner wall sheets, each stile having a vertical row oi'perforations therein for the adjustable engagement therewith of closureor supporting members.

1i. In means for altering the structure of the side wall of a box carbody of conventional type having a doorway embodying a pair of doorposts spaced a predetermined distance apart, outer walls extendingbetween the opposite end walls of the body and said posts, and an innersheathing extending between the opposite end walls of the body and ,saidp'osts, the combination of a third post positioned between the aforesaidposts, channeled stiles disposed upon the opposed faces of one of thedoor posts and said third post, a

'supporting member extending between said stiles and having fasteningelements adapted for detachable and adjustable engagement therewith forsupporting said member at dierent elevations, the said sheathing havingan extension between the other door post and the said third post toclose the inner side of the lintervening space, a door mounted on thewall opposite said sheathing extension to close the outer side of saidspace, and a door slidably mounted on the outer wall to close the outerside 'of the space between the stile carrying posts.

12. In supporting and partitioning means for use in box cars, a carhaving side walls provided with transversely alined doorways, channeledmetal stiles on the opposed faces of the jambs at the opposite sides ofeach doorway, each having one of its side walls facing the :lamb andsecured thereto and its other side wall facing the other stile andprovided with a vertical row of openings extending substantiallythroughout itsy length, supporting bars adapted to be extended acrosseach doorway and provided with engaging elements adapted for detachableand adjustable Aengagement with the perforations in the said stiles,partition sheets carried by said bars and extending transversely of thecar between the doorways. vsaid partition sheets having openingstherein. and article supporting members provided with fasteningprojections adapted to engage the openings in the sheets.

13, In supporting and partitioning means for use in box cars. a carhaving a side wall provided with a doorway. channeled metal stiles onthe opposed faces of the jambs at the sides oi' the posts and eachhaving a vertical row of perforadoorway, each having one of its sidewalls facing the jamb and secured thereto and its other side wall facingthe other stile and provided with a vertical row of openings extendingsubstantially throughout its length, and a supporting element adapted tobe extended across the doorway between the stiles and provided withengaging elements adapted for detachable and adjustable en' gagementwith the perforations in said stiles.

14. In a box car, a car having a doorway including side posts havingchanneled portions, each including a wall facing the doorway andprovided with a vertical row of perforations extending substantially theheight of the doorway, each perforation opening into the channel anddoorway space, and a vertically adjustable supporting member adapted tobe inserted into and withdrawn from the space between said posts bymovements in a direction transversely and longitudinally of the car andhaving projections at its ends adapted for interchangeable selectiveengagement with perforations at any level. in the height of theperforated walls of the channeled portions.

15. In a box car, a car having a doorway including side posts havingchanneled portions, each presenting a wall facing the doorway andprovided with a vertical row of perforations extending substantially theheight of the doorway, each perforation opening into the channel anddoorway space, and an adjustable supporting member. bridging the spacebetween said posts and having a projection at eachend thereof, saidprojections being adapted for engagement with selected perforations inthe perforated walls of the channeled portions, the projection at atleast one of the ends of the supporting member comprising a boltslidable longitudinally of said member.

16. In a box car, a car having a doorway including side posts havingchanneled portions, each presenting a wall facing the doorway andprovided with a vertical row of perforations extendinir substantiallythe height of the doorway, each perforation opening into the channel anddoorway space, and an adjustable supporting member bridging the spacebetween said posts and having a pair of spaced projections at each ofits ends adapted for engagement with selected perforations in theperforated walls of the channeled portions,

17. In a box car, a car body having supporting surfaces mounted in thecar in opposed and spaced relation to each other, each surface having avertical row of perforations therein, and an l adjustable supportingmember bridging the space between said surfaces and provided at its endswith projections to interchangeably engage the perforations therein, oneof said projections comprising a tongue hinged at or near one end to theunderside of the bar by a pivot extending transversely of the bar toswing toward and from the underside of the bar, said tongue being of alength between its pivoted end and its free end greater than thedistance between its pivoted end and the end of the bar and having itsfr ee end forked to provide spaced engaging elements and having a stopshoulder to limit movement of said elements in the perforations of thesupporting surface engaged thereby,

18. In supporting and partitioning means for use in box cars, a carhaving a doorway, posts at opposite sides 'of the doorway each having achanneled portion presenting a wall facing the doorway and a wall facingthe interior of the car,

the iirst-named walls of the posts having rows of periorations therein,and an adjustable supporting or partitioning member bridging the doorwayand having projections at its ends adapted for engagement with theperforations insaid perforated post walls.

19. In supporting and partitioning means for use in box cars, a carhaving a doorway, posts at opposite sides of the doorway each having achanneled portion presenting a wall facing the doorway and a wall facingthe interior of the car, the first-named walls of the posts havingrowsof perforations therein, an adjustable supporting or partitioning memberhaving projections at its ends adapted for engagement with theperforatlons in the perforated post walls, said member having keepers,and a support adapted to be disposed transversely of the car between thesupporting or partitioning members and having projections at its ends toengage the' keepers thereof.

20. In a box car, a car body having at each side end posts, postsdefining a doorway, and intermediate posts, each doorway post having achanneled portion presenting a wall facing the doorway and a wall facingthe interior of the car, the first-named wall being provided with a rowof perforations extending from top to bottom thereof, an adjustable baradapted to be disposed across the doorway and provided at its ends withprojections adapted for engagement with the perforations in theperforated post walls, goods supporting members extending longitudinallyof the car and bridging adjacent posts, said goods supporting memberseach having a row of perforations extending therealong, the membersbridging the door posts and adjacent intermediate posts lapping over thesecond-named walls of the door posts, and a supporting member extendingtransversely of the car and having projections at its ends to engage theperforations in the goods supporting sheets.

21. In supporting and partitioning means for use in box cars, a carhaving doorways in its sides each provided with posts at opposite sidesthereof, said posts having channels with walls facing the doorway andeach 'having a vertical row of spaced perforations therein, anadjustable supporting or partitioning member adapted to be extendedbetween said posts and having engaging members at its opposite endsadapted for engagement with the perforations in the posts, said memberalso having keeper elements, and lcross supporting or partitioningmembers adapted to be engaged with said keeper elements of thesupporting or partitioning members engaged with the doorway posts andextended across the car between the doorways.

22. In supporting and partitioning means for use in box cars, a carhaving doorways each provided with posts, each having a vertical row ofperforatons therein extending substantially from floor to roof of thecar, adjustable supporting or partitioning members adapted to bedisposed across the doorways and having projections adapted forengagement with the perforations in the posts and also having keeperstherein, transverse supporting or partitioning members adapted tobe'extended across the interior of the car between the door ways andengaged with the keepers of the iirst-named supporting or partitioningmembers, said transverse supporting or partitioning members havingengaging elements, and vertically disposed supporting sheets havingopenings therein for the reception of the engaging elements on saidtransverse supporting' members and for the attachment oi' othersupporting elements at different points thereon.

23. In supporting and partitioning means for use in box cars, a carhaving doorways in its opposite sides each provided with posts, eachhaving a vertical row of keepers therein extending substantially betweenthe iioor and the roof of the car, adjustable supporting or partitioningmembers adapted to be extended across the doorways and havingprojections adapted for engagement with the keepers in the posts, aplurality of longitudinally spaced vertical transverse supporting orpartitioning members adapted -to be extended across the interior of thecar between the door ways and provided with fastening means forengagement with the rst-named supporting or partitioning members, saidtransverse supporting members having keepers, and horizontal membersadapted to be extended between and engaged with the keepers of thetransverse supporting members to form or support shelves or platforms atdifferent elevations in the car.

24. In supporting and partitioning means for use in box cars, a carhaving doorways in its opposite sides eachprovided-with posts, eachhaving a vertical row of perforations therein extending substantiallyfrom oor to roof of the car, adjustable supporting or partitioningmembers adapted to be extended across the doorways and havingprojections adapted for engagement with the perforations therein.supporting or partitioning members adapted to be extended across thedoorways and having projections to engage the perforations in the posts,transverse supporting or partitioning members adapted to be extendedacross the interior of the car between the doorways and provided withmeans for engagement with the iirst-named supporting or partitioningmembers, said transverse supporting elements having engaging elementsthereon, vertically disposed partitioning sheets or plates adapted to25. In supporting and partitioning means for use in box cars, a carhaving a doorway, supporting posts at opposite sides of the doorwayhaving channeled portions each having a wall interposed between thechannel and doorway space, said walls each being provided with avertical row of perfor-ations, and a supportingl or partitioning memberadapted to be extended between said posts, said member being provided atone end with studs to engage the perforations in one of the posts andprovided at its opposite end with sliding latch bolts to engage theperforations in the other post.

26. In supporting and partitioning means for use on box cars, a carhaving a doorway provided with channeled posts, each including a wallinterposed between the post channel and the doorwayA stiles at theopposite sides of each doorway, each having a wall facing the doorwayspace and provided with a vertical row ujf-openings extendingsubstantially throughout its length, each opening extending through thewall between the channel and doorway space, supporting bars adapted tobe extended across each doorway and provided with engaging elementsadapted for detachable and adjustable engagement with the perforationsin the said stiles, partition sheets carried by said bars and extendingtransversely of the car between the doorways, said partition sheetshaving openings therein, and article supporting members provided withfastening projections adapted to engage the openings in the sheets.

28. In supporting and partitioning means for use in box cars, a carhaving a side wall provided with a doorway, posts having channeledportions at the sides of the doorway, each channeled portion having awall facing the doorway and a wall facing the interior of the car, thefirst-named wall of each channeled portion being provided with avertical row of openings extending substantially throughout its length,and a supporting element adapted to be extended across the doorwaybetween the walls and provided with engaging elements adapted fordetachable and adjustable engagement with the perforations in saidperforated wall.

29. In a box car, a car body having at each side end posts, door postsand intermediate posts, said door posts defining doorways and each posthaving a channeled portion including a wall Iacing the doorway andprovided with a vertical row of perforations therein, horizontalsupporting or partitioning members adapted to be disposed across thedoorways and having projections adapted i'or engagement with theperforations in the door posts and also having keepers therein, goodssupporting sheets bridging adjacent posts and having pertorationstherein, transverse supporting or partitioning members adapted to beextended across the interior of the car and engaged with theperfor-ations of the first-named supporting or partitioning members andwith said goods supporting sheets, said transverse supporting orpartitioning members having engaging elements, and vertically disposedsupporting sheets having openings therein for the reception of theengaging elements on said transverse supporting members and for theattachment of other supporting elements at diilerent points thereon.

30. In a box car, a car having posts at its opposite sides defining adoorway and each provided with a channeled portion having a wall i'acingthe doorway, said wall being formed with a vertical row of perforationsextending substantially the height of the doorway, adjustable supportingor partitioning members adapted to be extended. across the doorways atselected levelsand havin'g projections adapted for engagement withselected periorations in the perforated post walls, a plurality oflongitudinally spaced vertical transverse supporting or partitioningmembers adapted to be extended across the interior of the car betweenthe doorways and provided with fastening means for engagement with thefirst-named supporting or partitioning members, said transversesupporting members' having keepers, and horizontal members adapted to beextended between and engaged with the keepers of the transversesupporting members to form or support shelves or platforms at differentelevations in the car.

31. In supporting and partitioning means for use in box cars, a carhaving a side wall provided with a pair of outer posts and anintermediate post, the space between the intermediate post and one ofthe outer posts forming a doorway and the opposed faces of said postsbeing provided with vertical rows of perforations, a supporting memberhaving projections at its opposite ends adapted for engagement with saidposts, a wall sheathing closing the inner side of the space between theinner post and the otherof said outer posts, a door for closing theouter side oi' the space between the intermediate post and thelatter-named outer post, and a door for closing the doorway between theintermediate post and the first-named outer post.

32. In a box car, a car having a doorway including side posts havingchanneled portions, each presenting a wall facing the doorway andprovided with a vertical row of perforations extending substantially theheight of the doorway, each perforation opening into the channel anddoorway space, and an adjustable supporting member bridging the spacebetween said posts and having projections at each end thereof, saidprojections being adapted for engagement with selected perforations inthe perforated walls of the channeled portions, the projections at atleast one of the ends of the supporting member comprising a boltslidable longitudinally of said member with means for locking said boltin projected and retracted positions.

33. In a box car, a car body having supporting surfaces mountedvertically in opposed and spaced relation to each other and each havinga vertical row of perforations therein, and an adjustable supportingmemberbridging the space between said surfaces and having endprojections to engage selected perforations in'said surfaces, at leastone of the projections comprising a tongue hinged at or near one end tothe underside of the bar by a pivot extending transversely of the bar toswing toward and from the underside of the bar, said tongue being oi alength between its pivoted and free ends greater than the distancebetween its free end and the end oi' the bar and having its free endforked to provide spaced engaging elements to engage correspondinglyspaced perforations of the supports ing surface engaged thereby.

. WILLIAM L. THOMAS.

